Privacy charging station for electronic devices

ABSTRACT

A charging station comprises a container configured to house at least one electrical device within an internal space within the container. At least one electrical outlet is disposed within the container, wherein the at least one electrical outlet is configured to provide power to the at least one electrical device. A noise generator is located in the internal space within the container, wherein the noise generator is configured to supply masking noise while the at least one electrical device is resident within the internal space.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to electronic devices, and morespecifically to methods and systems for charging station for electronicdevices.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices, such as cellular phones, tablet computers, andportable gaming devices, typically include microphones and/or digitalcamera systems. These devices allow a user to speak with friends andfamily, conduct video chats, or the like. However, with access to adevice through hacking or unintended connections, a third party is ableto surreptitiously listen in or spy on a person through control of theelectronic device.

Electronic devices such as those described above typically are batteryoperated and must be regularly recharged. Users typically select acharging area close at hand at home or at an office for ease of accessto their electronic device. This close proximity to a user every day atall times further increases the desirability for a third party toeavesdrop on conversations or spy on a person by surreptitiouslyenabling the electronic device's microphone and/or camera. What isneeded is a charging station which can render the ability to hear and/orview the surroundings of an electronic device in a convenient andhelpful manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a charging station with privacyelements in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the charging station of FIG. 1, showingelectronic devices located within the station;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the charging station of FIG. 1, showing speakerand vent locations;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a collapsible charging station inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention, showing the chargingstation in an extended and closed position;

FIGS. 4a-4d are side, top, and back view of the charging station of FIG.4, showing the charging station in closed, intermediate, and extendedpositions;

FIGS. 5a-5b are side views of the charging station of FIG. 4, showingthe station in an intermediate and collapsed position;

FIGS. 6a-6d are plan views of an electronic device with an externalprivacy case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, showingprivacy elements;

FIGS. 7a-7e show side views of a collapsible charging station inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention showing a chargingstation in closed and extended positions.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, electronic device charging station 10configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention isconstructed as a box shape, using wood or other such suitable materialas desired. Preferably, a substantially solid material such as wood,plexiglass, or combination of material is used for construction of walls12 of charging station 10 in order to reduce external noise intrusion.The internal area of walls can be lined with a sound dampening materialto further reduce external sound intrusion.

In an exemplary embodiment, electrical outlets 18 a-18 c are provided inthe internal area of charging station 10. Electrical outlets 18 a-18 ccan be any number of electrical supply ports for charging electricaldevices, such as standard A/C electrical plug 18 a, USB ports 18 b, I 8c, DC plug, or the like. Further, any number or combination of desirableelectrical outlets 18 a-18 c can be provided in the internal area ofcharging station, depending on the number of devices intended to beconnected to a charging voltage, and the overall size of chargingstation 10.

Lid 14 is utilized for access to the internal area of charging station10. In one embodiment, window 16 is provided to allow viewing access tothe internal area of charging station 10 for checking the status ofelectronic devices 100 a, 100 b without the need to open lid 14. Inanother embodiment, window 16 can be constructed with a one-way mirrorfilm attached to window 16 to allow viewing of the internal area ofcharging station 10 by a user while preventing electronic devices 100 a,100 b to be able to view any external image through window 16 tocharging station 10 while lid 14 is in a closed position. In anotherexemplary embodiment, lid 14 can be constructed as a solid structurewith no window 16 for increased privacy by completely restricting theview of electronic devices 100 a, 100 b.

In another exemplary embodiment, the internal area of charging station10 is accessible by a drawer opening along the front face of chargingstation 10 instead of being accessibly by lid 14. This alternatestructure would allow for opening the drawer to insert electricaldevices 110 a, 110 b, connect them to the charging strip, and close thedrawer to secure the electronic devices 110 a, 110 b within chargingstation 10.

In an exemplary embodiment, white noise generator 20 is located in theinternal area of charging station 10 along wall 12. White noisegenerator provides a cover noise to muffle any conversations which couldotherwise be heard by a microphone from any one of electronic devices100 a, 100 b. In one embodiment, white noise generator 20 can beactivated only when lid 14 is in a closed position, or it can beoperable by a power switch 22 for user controlled operation. In anotherexemplary embodiment, white noise generator 20 can activateautomatically upon detection of an electrical device 100 a, 100 b beingplugged into an outlet. Further, a visual indicator 24, such as an LEDlight, is present to give a visual notification to a user that whitenoise generator 20 is in operation without the need to open lid 14. Inother exemplary embodiments, white noise generator 20 can alternativelybe a pink noise generator, chirps, active noise cancellation, acombination of sounds, or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, thevolume of white noise generator 20 can be adjusted based on the soundlevel of detected external sound with a feedback driven volume controlor by a volume control knob for user control. The feedback drivencontrol can adjust the volume output of white noise generator 20 basedon ambient noise intrusion, or some other monitored level as would beunderstood in the art. Alternatively, a predetermined volume level wouldbe set and no control of the volume of white noise generator 20 would beavailable.

Power cord 26 provides a link to an external power source to supplyelectrical power to both electrical outlets 18 a-18 c and white noisegenerator 20 of charging station 10. In another exemplary embodiment,charging station 10 can also be supplied with an integrated batterypower source (not shown) to allow for portable charging of electronicdevices 110 a, 110 b and privacy protection. Further, an integratedbattery power source can be configured to supply power to white noisegenerator 20 even if power is temporarily cut off from power cord 22 tocontinue to provide privacy protection. Lock 32 provides a way tosecurely close charging station 10 based on user preference. Lock 32 isshown as a traditional lock and key, but may be alternately designedwith an electronic lock that can be unlocked via RFID tag, a minimumlock time or other such means known in the art. An electronic lock canprovide additional user benefits, such as restricting access toelectronic devices 110 a, 110 b by children at night or during studytime.

Referring to FIG. 3, in an exemplary embodiment, speaker 28 is attachedon an external wall 12 of charging station 10. Speaker 28 is controlledby an internal circuit that detects one or more sounds broadcast fromthe electronic devices 110 a, 110 b. When a sound is detected, anotification tone, or other such notification sound can be broadcastfrom speaker 28 to provide an external notification to a user that oneof the electronic devices 110 a, 110 b have made a sound, such as for anincoming call or text. Speaker 28 can be incorporated either internal orexternal to charging station 10 to supplement the notification to a userthat either a call or other such notification is coming from anelectrical device 100 a, 100 b located in the internal area of chargingstation 10. Alternatively, a visual indicator (not shown), such as anLED light, located either internal or external on charging station 10could illuminate to indicate that a sound was detected in the internalarea of charging station 10 could be present to reduce the need foraccessing electronic devices 110 a, 110 b to check for missed calls orother such notifications. Further, vent 30 may be optionally present toprovide airflow to the internal area of charging station 10 for heatdissipation or the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, a collapsible charging station 110 in an extendedposition is shown. Side walls 112 are attached from charging base 120 ina hinged relationship with end wall 114. In this embodiment, chargingbase 120 includes electrical outlets 18 a-18 c and white noise generator20 as described with reference to FIG. 2 above. The top and bottom ofcharging station 110 is composed of three wall slats 116 a-116 c whichare attached by hinges along each edge and are held in place byretaining means along the perimeter formed by side walls 112 and endwall 114. Wall slats 116 a-116 c can optionally include a see-throughwindow 122 constructed of plexiglass, plastic, glass, or the like, toallow for viewing the internal area of charging station 110. Window 122can also be constructed with a one-way mirror finish to allow forviewing the internal area of charging station 110 by a user whileinhibiting the view from the internal area to an external view. Hinge118 attaches wall slat 116 a to charging base 120. In the extendedposition, wall slats 116 a-116 c can be opened to allow internal accessto charging station 110 for positioning electronic devices 110 a, 110 bas shown and described in FIGS. 1-3.

Power to charging station 110 can be provided by a power cord and mayoptionally include an integrated battery located within charging base120 to further enhance the portability of charging station 110.

Referring to FIGS. 4a and 5b , charging station 110 is shown in acollapsed position. upper and lower wall slats 116 a-116 c and 116a′-116 c′ nest along the top and bottom of charging base 120 while endwall 114 is positioned along the internal wall face of charging base120. On the back of charging base 120, FIG. 4b shows the back ofcharging base 120 which includes an external power switch 124 to controlwhite noise generator 20 (not shown) while charging station 110 is in anextended position. Charging port 126 is also located on the back ofcharging base 120 to provide a means to connect power to charging base120.

Referring to FIG. 4c , when a user is ready to use charging station 110,end wall 114 is pulled away from charging base 120. Side walls 112connect charging base 120 to end wall 114. Once fully extended, FIG. 4dshows wall slats 116 a-116 c extended out over the top of the edge ofside walls 112 and end wall 114 to form a top lid for charging station110.

Referring to FIG. 5a , after end wall 114 is extended out, upper andlower wall slats 116 a-116 c and 116 a′-116 c′ can be seen unfoldingfrom a nested position along the upper and lower walls of charging base120.

In accordance with another embodiment, FIGS. 6a-6d show electronicdevice 210 surrounded by privacy case 200. In an exemplary embodiment,electronic device 210 is a cellular phone with front camera 212 and rearcamera 214. When privacy is desired, or when either camera is not inuse, front shutter 216 and rear shutter 218 can be independently movedover the face of each respective camera 212, 214. When the shutters 216,218 are moved over the face of their respective camera, the cameras 212,214 are isolated and unable to view any images beyond the back face ofthe shutters 216, 218. This enhanced feature allows a user to be able toonly allow images to be taken by electronic device 210 when the userdesires along with a visual privacy indication when the shutters 216,218 are closed.

Along the top of electronic device 210, privacy case 200 includes apower switch 222 to operate integrated white noise generator 220. Whenactivated, white noise generator 220 masks any conversations or externalnoise which could otherwise be monitored by microphones incorporatedinto electronic device 210. On the bottom of privacy case 200, accessports 224 a-224 c allow the electronic device to have access to acharging port for the electronic device 210 and also microphone and/orspeaker ports for normal operation. In another embodiment, a cover (notshown) can be moved over one or more of the ports 224 a-224 c to reducethe ability for electronic device 210 to pick up external noise while ina privacy mode.

In another exemplary embodiment, charging station 300 is a collapsiblecircularly shaped holder for an electronic device 110 a. FIGS. 7a and 7bshow upper cap 310 with a clear window 312 for viewing the internal areaof charging station 300. FIG. 7c shows charging base 314 with integratedelectrical outlet 316 to supply power to electrical device 110 a andwhite noise generator 318 to supply white noise to mask external noise.Charging base 314, in an exemplary embodiment, is constructed of threeconcentric nesting ring-shaped walls 320 a-320 c. When upper wall 320 ais extended upward, a smaller radius on the lower portion of upper wall320 a engages with a larger radius of center wall 320 b. Center wall 320b likewise engages with the upper portion of charging base 314 lowerwall 320 c to provide a cup shaped charging area for an electronicdevice 110 a. Power port 322 provides a means for supply powerinternally to charging base 314 to electrical outlet 316 as well aswhite noise generator 318. Optionally, a battery (not shown) can beintegrally supplied with charging base 314 to supply either power to thewhite noise generator 318 only or as a power supply for both electricaloutlet 316 and white noise generator 318.

1. A privacy station, comprising: a container configured to house atleast one electronic device within an internal space within saidcontainer; a noise generator located within said internal space withinsaid container, wherein the noise generator is configured to supplymasking noise while the at least one electronic device is residentwithin said internal space; and a notification generator located on aportion of said container, wherein the notification generator isconfigured to supply an notification to a user of a sound detected fromthe at least one electronic device.
 2. The privacy station of claim 1,further comprising at least one electrical supply port disposed withinsaid container, said at least one electrical supply port configured toprovide power to the at least one electrical device.
 3. The privacystation of claim I, further comprising a window disposed along a wall ofsaid container for viewing said internal space.
 4. The privacy stationof claim 3, wherein said window is a one-way mirror with a partiallytransparent first side and a partially reflective second side.
 5. Theprivacy station of claim 1, wherein said container has a first collapsedposition and a second extended position.
 6. The privacy station of claim1, wherein said notification generator comprises a device selected fromthe group consisting of: an audio speaker and a visual indicator.